The Lumber Guy made his 2-5 odds look good when overcame a bobble at the start to post a 4 1/4-length victory in the $76,500 Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park Feb. 25 (VIDEO).
Barry Schwartz's New York-bred son of Grand Slam out of the Unbridled's Song mare Boltono had earned a Beyer speed figure of 90 in his only previous start, a maiden score at Aqueduct Jan. 28 for trainer Michael Hushion. Stonewall Farm bred the winning gray/roan colt.
The Lumber Guy bobbled slightly at the start, then quickly opened a comfortable lead on his five opponents and rolled to victory under jockey Julian Pimentel. The colt covered the seven-furlong distance in 1:23.22. Brimstone Island finished second with Xavier Perez aboard, 5 3/4 lengths in front of Rocky Gap and Forest Boyce.
“He came out of the gate and he bobbled a little bit,” said Pimentel. “Right away, he took off. I tried to slow him down as best I could. Around the turn he relaxed for me and then when he felt (Brimstone Island) come to him he took off again. He looks like a nice horse. He did that very easily. It was impressive”
The winner paid $2.80 while earning $45,000 for the victory.
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